The Great Commission

From the book, This Is My Story. 31 Lives. Stories. Miracles. (Cityland Foundation, Inc. and OMF Lit. Inc. pp. 195-201), may I introduce to you Mr. Enrique Sarthou, Vice President and Senior Agency Director of Financial Services Group of Manulife Philippines and Lay Area Pastor of Christ’s Commission Fellowship.  His life story entitled, “Trading the good life for the best” is inspiring and worth emulating or something we may simply follow.  He reveals that together with his wife, their hearts’ desire is the Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20), the commission of Christ to spread His Gospel. He states, “Our desire and our prayer is to see our people in the discipleship groups multiply themselves, make their own contribution to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”

The New Roget’s Thesaurus presents a good number of synonyms for the term, commission: authorization, warrant, charge, instruction, authority, mandate, trust, brevet, permit, certificate, diploma, delegation, consignment, task, errand, office, assignment, proxy, power of attorney, deputation, legation, mission, embassy, agency.  However, the most appropriate, fitted and directly related to our evangelization program series is the Great Commission (Session No. 2).

Let us review Session 1.  It was about Evangelization facilitated by Kuya Wilbert Ang. We learn that the Catholic Church is evangelistic and we are called to be evangelizers as members of this Church.  We evangelize by proclaiming the Good News of our salvation to all.  As BCBP members, we are commanded by Jesus Christ to bring Him and win for Him our respective marketplaces. To be effective evangelizers, we are authorized or commissioned.  This is the significance of the Great Commission, a requisite of Evangelization. 

Personally, during my tender years I was attracted to be a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that I enrolled in the basic and advanced courses of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC).  That was the first time how to “be commissioned” came into my mind.  Now, with the BCBP, commissioning is the third C in the 3C’s of the life changing processes that start with conversion (first C) then with commitment (second C).

Before we deal with the underlying and associated circumstances that lead us to the Great Commission, let us be fully aware of the call of Jesus to make disciples of all men; to recognize the need to teach and reform our society at large and our commitment as active BCBP members to evangelize our respective areas of responsibility.

Looking back from the Old Testament, satan tempted and led man to disobedience.  Our fore parents, Adam and Eve lost their privilege as children of God.  They were driven away from the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:16-19).  The world becomes satan’s kingdom where chaos and sin reign.

God’s love and mercy do not allow man to be lost forever so that He promised a Redeemer. The plan calls for His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem mankind by becoming one with us and offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded and commissioned His disciples and it applies to all of us when He said, “I have been given all authority of heaven and earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations.  Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit, and teach them all that I have commanded you.  I am with you always until the end of the world” (Mt 28:18-20).

Let us take note that all baptized Christians whether religious or laymen comprise the Church. I say all Christians in order to distinguish Mahatma Gandhi who claimed he was a follower of Christ but could not be a Christian because he was a Hindu.  We are united in the Great Commission though there is diversity of functions. As laymen and as active BCBP members, we are commissioned and ordered by Jesus for the greatest offensive in the battlefield liberating mankind from satan’s influence.  Being drafted into God’s army we are guided by the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Rom 10:14-15) to believe, to know and to preach about Christ who is sending us.  As soldiers of God and as active BCBP members, we have the unique role to teach and proclaim the Good News of salvation to all specifically in our respective marketplaces and in the practice of our professions.

God the Father sent Jesus, His Son.  Jesus did the same to His disciples when He said, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent Me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21).  Being active BCBP members, we are commissioned to spread the Good News and bring the light to those who live in darkness.  The Father gave Jesus a mission and Jesus commissioned us to continue to carry on the same mission.  Today, the world is faced with the most challenging situations that mankind ever experience.  We are in an age of chaos and disorder when there is potential for good yet evil flourishes.  This is one great challenge we have in the BCBP to positively and responsibly respond.

From the Old Testament referring to the Book of Exodus, God called Moses, “The cry of the sons of Israel has reached Me and I have seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Go now!  I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt” (Ex 3:9-10). As we follow verses 11-22 of the same chapter 3 in the Book of Exodus until chapter 4 verses 1-17, we discover how Moses responded to the call.  He was afraid of the responsibility and shrunk with such tremendous undertaking.    He had lots of excuses but God assured him.                       

                                  

Like Moses, we are afraid of the responsibilities associated with the mission entrusted to us.  However, God assures us that there is nothing to fear for He is always with us.

The Great Commission is a command, a call and an invitation to teach, witness, baptize and make disciples of all nations. In our case as BCBP members we are called to evangelize our marketplaces to proclaim the Good News of our salvation. God the Father commissioned Jesus and Jesus is commissioning us, “Go, therefore…”..“I am with you always..” by and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The basic elements of the mission are: it is a command, we need to know the target and the message under the authority of God with the assurance of God’s presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Being commanded or drafted into God’s Mission, we need to be trained.  It started with our active participation in the Christian life program, our Baptism in the Holy Spirit, active involvement in the marriage retreat (BCMR), the businessmen’s retreat (BCBR) and regular attendance to our monthly teachings/seminars/retreats, etc.

We must grow in the Word of God through the Holy Bible with the Holy Spirit who empowers and instructs us in everything we are supposed to do in relation to the Great Commission. We practice this when we committed 15 minutes prayer time and 15 minutes Bible reading. 

Moreover and most importantly, we need to grow in holiness through the Sacraments.  Sacraments are “powers that come forth” from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving.  They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in His Body, the Church.  They are “masterworks of God” in the new and everlasting covenant (CCC 1116).

The mission of the BCBP is to create a body of Christians specifically among businessmen and professionals who are properly trained so that our individual as well as our collective action results in the following:

Our conversion to a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, a 180 degrees turn-around from bad to good and from good to better living.  Every time we meditate on the Holy Rosary specifically on the Mysteries of Light, it is the third mystery, “The proclamation of the Kingdom of God with the call of Jesus for our daily conversion”;

Our commitment to the values espoused by Jesus Christ such as justice, mercy and genuine service and finally,Commissioning to spread the values of Jesus Christ to others in the conduct of our business and professions.

Do you know that there are only 2 areas of the world left that do no succumb to the culture of death? (death = divorce, euthanasia, abortion, termination of birth and homosexuality).  They are the Vatican City and the Philippines.  The Philippines is a Christian nation yet human rights violations, crimes of passion, corruption, kidnapping and many more criminalities abound in great magnitude and astounding proportion.

Together with all other Christian organizations and communities, we in the Brotherhood (BCBP) are called to be active and cooperative participants in the Great Commission as one member of the Big Body, the Catholic Church where Christ is the head.  We are called to bring about transformation in our society according to the Christian values espoused by Jesus Christ.  This transformation must start basically within our respective areas of responsibility or in our circles of influence.

It has been our practice in the BCBP to share the “story of the Lord” in our respective lives.  Our game plan is witnessing not preaching.  As individuals (in separate men’s and ladies’ breakfast fellowships) or as couple sharers (in joint breakfast fellowships), we are commissioned to proclaim, evangelize and spread the Good News of our salvation to all who are in attendance.  Naturally and basically, the work of God must have emanated from our respective areas or jurisdictions in the way we conduct our business and practice our professions. nmg

          

Finding God in All Situations

The BCBP Consolacion Chapter conducted our Lenten Recollection last April 1, 2012 at the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP), Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.  The topic we dealt with was “Finding God in all situations”.

I presented the historical perspective of finding God.  From the early Christians to the present with Vatican II, I discovered a transition from being “martyrs to witnesses”.  The recent Age of the Laity (Vatican II) when the laymen and religious are equal in the eyes of God, we witness or share our encounters with the living God, finding Him in all circumstances and situations in our lives.  In the sharing portion, I presented the most recent encounter or “finding God” in the events that happened in March. 

Judy and I shared as a couple in the joint breakfast fellowship of BCBP Consolacion last March 10, 2012. The latest edition of our life story is titled, “Walking the extra mile, our personal vision and mission”. It was well-attended and graced by the presence of 4 “first timers”: a couple from California, U.S.A who was interested with our virgin coconut oil (VCO) and a Franciscan sister who is my cousin together with a catechist friend.

 

God rewarded us with a 6-days (March 12 – 17) rest and relaxation to the largest city in the Philippines, Davao.  It was freely granted through the generosity of the Dipon Family.  It was a grace-filled family bonding to celebrate a weeklong golden birthday anniversary of Preciosa, Judy’s younger sister.  Amidst the fun, thrills and adventures gainfully spent in Seagull Mountain Resort to have tasted for the first time the exotic sizzling ostrich meat and the excitement of catching tilapia with the hook and line at the fishing village of Eden Nature’s Park, I was called by God to serve as an inspirational speaker of the elementary graduation in my hometown.  That unexpected call was through Ms. Florence C. Valoria, my young, pretty and smart cousin who is one of the advisers of the graduating pupils.

As I read Finding Oprah’s Roots, Finding Your Own by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and with my desire to be connected globally, I thought going back to my barangay is a great opportunity to be reunited with relatives and friends back then.  I readily and unconditionally confirmed the invitation without considering the fact that the date coincided with the high school graduation of our only son, Francis John. I was caught in a dilemma because my wife was angry over my decision making me guilty with my eventual absence. I did not argue with her but instead asked God for a solution.  Upon fetching our son from an overnight retreat of the graduating HS students of the Sotero B. Cabahug Forum for Literacy at Don Bosco in Talisay City, I asked his permission.  He readily agreed.  Later, I was informed about a rescheduling to an earlier date of the graduation where I was invited.  I praised and thanked God for arranging my schedule that no one in the family was emotionally hurt.

Arriving a day earlier, I went to the school with my brother-in-law whose eldest daughter was among the graduating pupils. We volunteered to assist them in their stage decoration.  I met and had informal fellowship with a number of teachers. Ms. Violeta Cerna-Senadjan was an elementary classmate.  Ms. Ma. Bella S. Bertulfo and Ms. Elisa N. Alvarico were under me in General Horticulture during their College days in ViSCA.  Ms. Gina Cerna-Alayon and Ms. Chyril F. Bandalan are my nieces who were still young kids when I was around. I discovered a lot of physical and economic improvements in the surroundings. The usual classroom is now a class-home.

Feeling at home, I felt confident to deliver God’s message for their graduation and promotional ceremonies.  However, I was troubled with the impending rain with the presence of thick rain clouds.  Early morning (graduation day), I whistled hard together with my youngest brother to blow the rain clouds away but no wind responded.  It was our practice many years ago to whistle for the wind to blow when we were winnowing to separate the chaff from the filled rice grains with the absence of the rice thresher and blower.

When we left the house to walk for a little less than a kilometer down the venue together with my 2 graduating nieces, drizzles or droplets of rain started to fall.  Fortunately, we arrived without getting wet. The heavily pouring rain altered the graduation schedule to half an hour late. Upon arrival of the principal and supervisor, I asked their permission to lead the community in prayer. We petitioned for a fair weather that the rain stop for the processional to go on.  In less than 30 minutes, our prayer was answered to the amazement of everyone present. Teachers, Ms. Elisa Alvarico (Grade II) and Mr. Dennis Lopez (Grade VI) were busy wiping the plastic chairs dry for the graduating pupils and their parents. I realized how important it was for a long, meaningful and picturesque march for the parents and the graduating pupils that the teachers did not opt for a covered basketball court for an inclement weather.  I admire their expectant faith.

The graduation and promotional ceremonies were generally successful.  However, when my part came after Ms. Valoria introduced me, the rain commenced. At the climax of my speech, heavy downpour associated with blowing wind shattered the leaves of the large mahogany tree in front of the stage. Everybody took shelter except a small number who were left with their umbrellas open. Jokingly, I commented, “Only these few who remain will reach their goals..!”  And the teachers readily justified, “.. because they are the honor students!”.  I ended with the promise to post my inspirational talk in my website titled with their graduation theme, “Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”.

These most recent encounters with the Lord through the simple but meaningful events in my life are revelations or my version how I “find God in all situations”.  In fact, when I was delivering my speech, I sensed He was telling me, “This is My Time, My Showtime!! Cool ka lang!” nmg           

        

“Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”

Worthy Mrs. Lilia A. Ababat, the Baybay I District Supervisor; the strong force of 15 teachers of Kilim Elementary School with Mrs. Elsa Tabudlong, their Principal; the respectable barangay officials headed by my good friend, kababata and kapamilya, the Honorable Roberto Monterola; dear parents; our young medalists/awardees, vibrant and glowing graduates; ladies and gentlemen:

Graduation and Promotional Ceremonies like the one we have today remind us of growth. These exercises mean, we are actively growing, unceasingly moving and continuously adding.  Graduation means to move on or to step upward in the educational ladder.  To the lower Grades especially those with honors, you join the graduating class to be inspired looking at them receive their respective diploma as you are promoted/elevated to the next grade level for the coming school year.  In these commencement rites, we acknowledge 3 groups of individuals directly involved:

To the patient, untiring and skillful teachers, this is a mark of accomplishment producing another batch of elementary graduates promoting them to the next level of education.

Alang sa mga mapinanggaong mga ginikanan, karon usa ka pagpasidungog sa inyong mga pag-sacrificio aron maka-eskuyla and inyong mga anak. A salutation to the proud parents!

The academic and non-academic awardees from the lower grades and our dear graduates constitute the third group. To you, our dear children, I salute with admiration for your victory.  Congratulations!

Today is a Celebration of Life, a festivity of thanksgiving and rejoicing for the victory of all concerned.  Our barangay officials and honored guests are witnesses to this celebration while I serve a special function, to give you inspiration.  I pray that as I share the “story of the Lord in my life”, we find God in all our respective situations.  God is our unseen guest who is alive and happy with us and for us! Amen?

I admire and appreciate the conceptualization of your graduation theme, “Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”.  This is basically directed to our children who are present especially the young graduates reminding you that all the informal and formal lessons learned at home and in school are gifts from God through the unconditional love and support of your parents and your dear teachers patiently filling-up your brains.  As you gain and accumulate the necessary knowledge and wisdom, you are all equipped to build a strong republic, our very own native land which should basically start within our respective families, the family being the basic unit of our society.  Your graduation today is the first step to a big leap.  Looking back, I see myself in you.

Forty-four (44) years ago in 1968, I was an elementary graduate like you in this community school where I started to value education and hard work.  As a transferee in Grade IV, I received a ribbon of distinction being the “Most Industrious” pupil.  Until now, I uphold that honor and character. 

In your young minds and child-like characters, have you formulated your “guiding principle” in life? Good manners and right conduct or values education is basically part of what your teachers are teaching you, right?

“Honesty” is one good example of a guiding principle.  In fact, this is our advocacy in the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), a renewal Community where I am actively involved. Our slogan is, “Be honest, even if others are not, even if others will not and even if others cannot” as we aim to bring Christ to the marketplace and win the marketplace for Christ.

During the first day of school in Grade I, I found the Golden Rule striking and personally touching. “Do unto others what you like them to do unto you”. It was posted above the blackboard. It was the first reading assignment/lesson I learned that I applied and continue to practice from that day onward until now and all the days in my life. The first half of my elementary years was spent in Mantahan Pilot School, Maasin, So. Leyte. My unforgettable teacher was Mrs. Mamerta Orais.  I was her favorite pupil being obedient and respectful.

I am grateful to my parents who sent me to 2 private high schools (SJC in Maasin and FCIC in Baybay) but they surrendered after my third year because of poverty and the unemployment of my father. That summer in 1971 without the permission of my parents, I dressed up without breakfast, walked from Kilim to the Office of the Director of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC). After laying down my predicament and expressing my desire just to finish high school, Fr. Brice Mulroy, OFM commented, “Why don’t you serve as a working student?”. My heart jumped with joy because I succeeded in my first and only attempt at applying for a job. I was introduced to Bro. Richard Kloster, OFM, who was the in-charge of the working students.  He immediately demonstrated to me how to clean the toilets. The day-long cleaning without food in my stomach did not bother me physically because I was emotionally high, looking for a brighter future. 

   

Bro. Richard became my sincere and generous friend.  He freely provided building materials to finish a livable house for the family. He was a great inspiration to realize my dreams and aspirations in life.  My simple dream then was to free myself from the bondage of poverty.  I did not give-in to what Tatay requested, “Dong, maayo na man ka magdaro, undang na ug eskuyla.”

     

Considering all personal, economic and psychological factors, I decided to enroll in the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA) to seriously study and focused myself to finish a college degree. With God’s Grace, I graduated March 26, 1976 and earned the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education (BSAgEd).  Being known in the campus for my integrity and capacity, I did not have to apply and be interviewed by Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo, the College President.  Freely choosing and upon my decision to join the Department of Agronomy and Soil Science, I was appointed Assistant Instructor through the recommending approval of Dr. Benjamin C. Mahilum, the Department Chairman effective April 1 (that was 5 days after graduation).  I was assigned to a laboratory class that summer.  I was thrilled and proud with a healthy pride to handle some of my classmates who failed to graduate with me.

Feeling economically capable, I reported to Bro. Richard with the aim to payback whatever financial assistance he provided me during my 4 years of College education.  He was very happy to know that I finished a degree, that I was readily and unquestionably employed by my Alma Mater.  His simple and amazing response was, “What I did to you, do the same to others”.  It continuously reverberated or concretized the Golden Rule in me.  In my simple way and collectively with my own family, we financially support deserving and visionary family members and friends. I claim with a healthy pride that we were providing regular monthly allowance to a priest friend during his seminary days.  Now, he is a rector in a college seminary in Cebu City.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I decided to voluntarily resign from ViSCA after 15 years of satisfactory government service.  The paradigm shift from government employment to self-employment took a thorough or deliberate examination of the pros and cons of my choice and decision.  There were series of adjustments and a period of depression but God has been my stronghold from the very start of my childhood to adulthood with the intercession of our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Presently, I am occupied dealing with our lessees or tenants whom I consider as our business partners with God at the center of this partnership being a small-scale real estate lessor.  In addition, I manage the farm of my in-laws.  The lifelong family’s agro-ecological farm in Borbon, Cebu is well-planned and designed with the working ethics following the Golden Rule of co-existence and co-dependence among the land owners and farm dwellers (check www.youtube.com & search permaculture2011, final kalubian ni lolo). I praise and thank the Lord for the “gift of education”, the key that frees me from the bondage of poverty.

Dear friends and our young graduates, let us acknowledge and be constantly grateful to God, our Greatest Provider for granting us the gift of learning through our parents, teachers and all our love ones providing us the moral, physical, emotional and financial support that we need.  In exchange, let us be good and responsible Filipino citizens who will sooner or later be active contributors to nation-building that as I have said basically starts within the family.  Indeed, you have the most appropriate and fitting 2012 Graduation Theme, “Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”. 

With an inspiring challenge and an expectant faith, I look forward to see you again after 6 years being skillful craftsmen or better still pursue a college degree.  I understand the Department of Education (DepEd) is adding 2 more years in high school giving you ample time to choose and finally decide for your career or source of living. 

I urge you to “dream big dreams”. The immortal and legendary institution of Disneyland started with a dream of Walter E. Disney. He has a very inspiring life story and I agree with him when he says, “All our dreams will come true if we pursue them with courage.” Allow me to relate and share with you a similar inspirational story personally touching to me.

In grade school, the teacher required her pupils to draw what they would like to be in the future. One of them submitted his drawing that showed a large track of land with a ranch full of cattle feeding with him horseback riding. The scenery of his drawing reflected the details of an agro-ecological, natural and organic farm. Thinking that the pupil was poor and that his dream was impossible, the teacher rejected it but the underprivileged but visionary pupil insisted. Anyway, “time flies” and now the same teacher scheduled a field trip to a successful and productive farm. Lo and behold, the class was whole-heartedly welcomed and personally accommodated by the owner, the ambitious pupil and big dreamer.  See!!!, everything is possible with God.

In closing, I share with you in alphabetical order the a, b, c, d and e as our guide to realize our dreams and aspirations towards prosperity, abundance, fun and fulfilling lives:

1.    Attitude - the right and positive attitude towards work and study with God at the center.

2.  Belief - in the power of God through our constant and unceasing prayers.

3.    Our Capacity - to be invaded by God’s power to do things according to His Divine Will. Courage is another C (according to Walt Disney).

4.    Determination - is being tough when the going gets rough by focusing on God’s plan.

5.    Enthusiasm - from the Greek word, entheos (God is in), our ability to see God in all situations making our life exciting.

Please take note that in these 5 alphabetical guides, (attitude, belief, capacity, determination and enthusiasm), we have God ever present. Every moment in our lives then, we must worship, praise and give thanks to God: the Father - our Creator; the Son, Jesus Christ - our Savior and the Holy Spirit - our Sanctifier.  Amen!!!   nmg    

   

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[1]Graduation speech delivered March 28, 2012 at Kilim Community School, Baybay City, Leyte. 

Cellular Wisdom, an Overview

Two (2) years after leaving the academe (when I was only 37 years old then), my usual activities include: reading, writing, believing and living.  I simply follow the slogan we formulated when Judy and I were assigned in the Book Ministry of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Mactan Chapter, “Read, write, believe and live”.  I document or synthesize what I read reflecting and connecting lessons learned/relearned with my past experiences to assess my present allowing me to redesign my future.  I believe what I read, journal significant feelings eventually living or applying the insights discovered/rediscovered.  I have the Holy Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and a variety of inspirational and self-help books to guide me as I collate my thoughts.

Two (2) days after the Guinhulngan, Negros Oriental 6.9 magnitude earthquake (6 Feb 2012), I was attracted to the 25 Books Every Christian Must Read, a must-read book indeed.  However, its price is beyond my budget.  Suffice it to say that I was able to connect with www.renovare.us indicated in the back cover.  “Renovare USA. . . encourages us towards a renewed, sustainable and enriched life with God.”

Searching for an alternative and enriching one among the “books on sale”, I picked up and bought Cellular Wisdom: Decoding the Body’s Secret Language by Dr. Joan C. King.  After reading Part I, I am excited and activated to share what I discovered.  I easily relate with the author because both of us came from the academia.  Being a neuroscientist, she explains or decodes the cellular basis of human responses to internal and external stimuli comparing the trillion of cells of our body to the community of people.  She reveals that “the fundamental truths for living an authentic, fulfilling life are decoded in the elegantly complex dance of chemicals and energetic interactions within and between our cells”.  She believes that “the principles that operate in the body can be meaningful guides to constructing authentic and self-fulfilling lives”.  I admire her career being the chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology at Tufts University School of Medicine before she becomes a professional certified coach (PCC).

Although my professional attainment cannot match with hers but there is some degree of parallelism.  My master’s thesis dealt with Growth and Fiber Morphology of Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) Ratoons as Influenced by Plant Density and N Level.  I measured the fiber cellular dimension of individual abaca fiber cells to determine their contribution towards tensile strength of individual fiber bundles.  They were tedious microscopic activities that paid off reading the book of Dr.King.  Looking beyond the technical significance or relevance of my thesis, I see a moral fiber that needs fertilization, rejuvenation and strengthening in our society.

Anyway, back to the present scary and fearful earthquake and false alarm tsunami aftershock that shook the Visayas Region, tonic immobility is a new striking phrase I encounter in cellular wisdom.  Dr. King states, “tonic immobility is a physiological response to having one’s world turned upside down that give us permission to relax” (see p. 9 of her book).

The night before the scheduled national elections several years ago, I experienced a very shocking, most fearful and life-threatening experience.  I was on my way to conduct Julio (July) Magallanes, a wedding god-son to Pier 3 in Cebu City bound for Baybay, Leyte.  Responding to a stop light, four (4) armed men approached us, 2 in front and 2 at the back of the pick-up I was driving.   I felt what is now known as tonic immobility because we stood still and in my mind, I silently trembled with, “Lordddd…!” which could have been specified, “My refuge and fortress, my God in Whom I trust”… with His merciful response, “I will be with them in distress..” (Ps 91:2 & 5).

Fortunately and with God’s Grace and Mercy, one of our would-be assailants in the driver’s seat (my side) verified and claimed, “Dili mao!!” meaning we were not their target.  With the sigh of relief, we decided to go back home in Mandaue City cancelling July’s boat trip moving it to the following day.

Reading and understanding cellular wisdom as Dr. King decodes the body’s secret language provide me a micro and macroscopic view of life and living.  While waiting for the synthesis of the whole book, visit or open www.cellular-wisdom.com. nmg  

Between winning and not losing

Early Sunday morning (22 January 2012), I was overwhelmed reading the email of Dr. Robert Anthony as if I was the only one he was addressing to in his seemingly personal message reminding me to buy his book, The Secret of Deliberate Creation.  The attached information about himself and his offer are definitely convincing but the scarcity of money inhibits my desire to avail of his very helpful book I expect to serve as a very effective “treasure map”.

As the year 2012 commenced, I have been engrossed reading the various emails sincerely responding them with my simple aim to connect my finite thoughts with the vast thoughts of the world and ultimately with the Infinite Mind as I invite them to open my website.  As an active member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), I delivered the most recent edition of the “story of the Lord in my life” last January 7, 2012 among my brothers of BCBP Mandaue City Chapter.   “Unleashing the power within” is its title pointing money as the issue of struggle. I was inspired to read the short but morally boosting comment of Ms. Amy Sotto Indo, my new-found friend in the facebook before I proceeded to the men's breakfast fellowship. The attendance of my Kompare Roberto Aure as my honored guest motivated me being the only "first timer" present.  I encourage his continuous participation in Baybay City, Leyte.

Having experienced paranormal incidents earlier in my life, I was extra cautious with January 13 even looking at April 13 this year falling on a Friday.  Friday the 13^th is a fearful day for me.  However, with the advances in information technology, I noticed a higher level of fear through the highly incredible and extremely impossible messages in the inbox.  From a considerable number of unknown private individuals and international bank officials, the message is similar.  They are inviting me to be their secret partner in the transfer of millions of dollars to my bank account which is a simple “money laundering”.  Ticket Nos. 86033775966738 and 2051146463-7644 in separate lotteries entitle me to considerably large sum of the Great British Pound (GBP).  Wow! Awful and wonderful but seriously scary, that I pray, “Lord, I am attracting money but please give me good and clean money that I deserve and honestly earn through Your Divine Providence.”

I am attracting a lot of good money as a medium to realize my personal mission statement (“Holistic being and living” posted 25 January 2011 in my website) but definitely I don’t love it.  “For the love of money is the root of all evil, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains” (1 Tim 6:10).

On the other hand, I am excited and thrilled to follow, apply and live “Love or Above”.  Downloaded are: the first talk and the “Heart Center Awakening Meditation”.  My wife expresses her positive response that she feels an increasing vibration at home.   I love Jesus Christ, my Savior and His Mother, my Mother of Perpetual Help, Mary coined in “Christie Marie”, the modern day intuitive healer, psychic and mystic.  Thanks a lot, Ms. Sheldon!

The Self-Esteem Book (ebook downloaded) of Dr. Joseph Rubino awakens me from my feeling of inadequacy.  I discover Mr. Chip who is pulling me down but I have the Advocate, the Holy Spirit who assures me of my self-worth.

Dr. Robert Anthony reminds me that “.. while it is important to set my intentions, think positively and have a strong belief that the Universe will magically provide what I want through the process of repetition, it only represents a fraction of what I must do to deliberately create the things I desire.”  I need alignments: with the Law of Quantum Physics (the Law of Attraction) and the conscious and subconscious alignments.  “Like thoughts whether positive or negative attract their equivalent or vibrational match.” Whatever I focus on with intensity and emotion will set the Universe in motion to bring what I desire into my life. My conscious desires and subconscious intentions must be aligned to realize and manifest my dreams and aspirations.   In my belief system, I simply call it a reconciliation between what I desire and God’s plan and will for me.

I believe I am destined to live a life that is free of fear, doubt and worry.  I feel happy and rejoice soundly in the knowledge that I am meant to thrive, not struggle.  I consciously choose a life deliberately created to attain a state of unlimited possibilities.

I whole-heartedly acknowledge, express my lasting indebtedness and sincere gratitude to my coaches in the game of life: Ms. Christie Marie Sheldon (www.loveorabove.com/special), Dr. Joseph Rubino (www.centerforpersonalreinvention.com), Dr. Robert Anthony (www.RealMindPowerSecrets.com) and many more as they train me deliberately to play the game of life.  In this game, I win by taking action on what I learned.  Contrarily, I do not keep collecting more information and avoid taking action by conservatively playing not to lose. 

God bless our life coaches that they become effective and true instruments connecting us to the Infinite Mind, the Master Architect and Ultimate Planner of our life!  nmg

An Endangered and Angry Nature

The intensity and magnitude of the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong in Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City showed us the rage of nature.  I associate it with “Rage of an Angel”, the bestselling suspense novel by Sydney Sheldon.  Synonymous terms as anger, wrath or rage mean the same but the magnitude or the severity of the disaster vary.  The Golden Rule is designed for a harmonious relationship between human beings.  It is likewise applicable between man and nature as we recently experienced. 

Last December 16, 2011 at about 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon, we  were all set to join Kuya Cipring/Ate Mary Lauron in Liloan, Cebu on our way to Panalipan, Catmon, Cebu to express our empathy to the Manalili Family for the death of Ate Vangie‘s mother, Mana Gorgonia Cole (with 3 years more to become a centenarian).  The BCBP Consolacion group consisted of Ate Norma Caminade, Ate Erma Sangco, Kuya Gad/Ate Carmen Macasero, and my wife, Judy with me driving. Along the way still in Tayud, Consolacion (the alternate road for a lighter traffic), we encountered the heavy downpour of rain with a very low visibility that I had to drive at 20 – 30 km/hr following the car ahead with the same speed with full lights on.  Judy led the group in prayer and we contemplated on the Sorrowful Mysteries.  Instantly, I recalled the BCBP Mactan Mission Team for Ormoc City being caught in a typhoon at the beach house in Albuera, Leyte owned by the family of Ate Carmen L. Sto. Domingo.  Like sus (the local term for the fresh water, black, spirally elongated shells approximately 4-5 cm long distinctly characterized to be grouping together in clusters), we recited the Holy Rosary led by Ate Litz Tan.  In those similar situations, our prayers were answered.  The latest encounter was quite scary and life threatening.  In Compostela, I sensed the explosion of lightning and thunder as if we were hit head-on so that in a quick response, I had to step heavily on the brakes unexpectedly hard-pushing my passengers forward.   But, it did not deter us from praying that we eventually reached our destination safe and sound with the food for us waiting prepared by Ate Vangie and Kuya Maning.  The sumptuous dinner relieved us from fear recharging ourselves to celebrate and continue living our respective lives.

During the Holy Mass and Novena for the dead thereafter, I pondered on the opportunity to die naturally at a ripe old age leaving behind a legacy of good deeds.  The 116 years old Japanese, Shigechiyo Izumi advises, “… the best way to lead a long life is simply, ‘not to worry’ (Mike Parker. The World’s Most Fantastic Freaks.  p. 136)”.  But, how can we be worry-free looking at the most recent effects of an endangered and angry nature?  The joy of the Christmas Season this year is coupled with sadness especially to those directly affected.  


Some may have abstract ideas of what is going on with the world.  Bob Hope claims, “It’s a wonderful world.  It may destroy itself, but you’ll be able to watch it on TV.” (In: Charles Swindoll’s Favorite Stories and Illustrations. p. 622).  We saw the destruction of tsunami in Japan last March 2011 through the television.  The TV and video footages of the actual events of Typhoon Sendong surely touched all of us.  Personally striking was the footage of the 24 minutes rising water in Cagayan de Oro City showing evacuees moving-in to a safer house.  That time span submerged the gate and house that ended the documentation.  It brought me to a similar incident many years back.     

Forty (40) years ago (December 1971), I experienced the same scenario.  As a graduating and working student in high school, I lived nearby the campus of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC), Baybay, Leyte.  During that heavily raining afternoon, we observed that water was flowing and rising.  The house where I lived was located at the southern side of Dungcaan Bridge.  Accordingly, the overflowing river resulted from the clogging of the bridge by a high volume of debris that consisted of logs, timber, lumber and possibly a number of animals and human beings flushed from the mountain. (That extremely large volume of materials were later seen deposited in the beaches covering at least 5-6 kilometers from the town towards the north excluding the southern side.)  We vacated our place when water rose from knee-high to hip-deep.  I held and guided 2 children of the household towards higher grounds at the Convent of the Franciscan Sisters.  Fortunately, the bridge broke astonishingly wiping the flood water that allowed us to return safe and secured. 

After 4 decades, we continue to experience the rage of an endangered nature because of our irresponsible environmental management.  In addition, there is global warming, climatic change and more. In our own small ways, as a family, we seriously consider the ethics of permaculture.  In April 2011, Judy and I met a septuagenarian green-thumbed woman who shared with us several planting materials.  I gained from her the insight to plant, plant and plant regardless of the distance and method of planting.  She owns and operates a nature’s park and mountain resort overlooking Cebu City.  

Lately, before 2011 ended, I joined “Love or Above” through the world-wide web.  I attempted to attend the online event but due to technical inability and the very slow flow, I discontinued in the meantime.  This is the first time I encountered the term webinar which means a seminar in the web or internet.  For me, the www or the 3w is not just info dissemination but strengthening of the "web of life". 

Appealing and strongly attractive is the invitation of its founder, “… to become a force for planetary shift….. turn on your spiritual gifts fully to make your inner light brighter ….. a life filled to the brim with love, abundance, joy, pleasure and fun.”  


For 2012, I go the extra mile to attain financial abundance and freedom and attract all good things, keeping in mind my personal mission statement ("Holistic being and living" posted Jan 25, 2011 in my website).   With me in my pilgrimage and life's journey are life coaches, Christie Marie Sheldon and her “Love or Above Team” and the "Life Optimizing and Strategic Business Coaches": Dr. Rubino, Ms. Henson and Ms. Mulac, www.support@cprsuccess.com.  


I invite you to open or visit www.loveorabove.com/special to raise our individual vibrations and increase our respective energetic frequencies. nmg    

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[1] A reflection of the CDO, Iligan and Negros natural disasters caused by Typhoon Sendong (Dec.  16-17, 2011).

Significance of the Insignificant

Opening the facebook last December 6, 2011 impressed me with the message from my natural and organic farming friend, Rev. Fr. Domingo Saladaga, OAR. It is about "blessing and missing".  Accordingly, we should have a big and open heart to appreciate the blessings to celebrate life and eyes to see what are missing.  Sorry, I miss the whole quotation.  Anyway, I responded with, "The message is rhythmic, poetic and realistic that makes you an effective pastoral poet. Certainly, I am applying it in my daily living". In fact, I have posted last December 2007 the following article with a parallel message.


When I was still connected with an agricultural state college, I was involved in a trilogy of functions.  I was engaged in 50% instruction, 30% research and 20% extension.

Using an appropriate experimental design, we conducted agricultural researches or field trials as part of my research activities.  I did these projects together with my research assistants.  Data gathered were analyzed following the procedure of the analysis of variance (ANOVA).  Test results varied.  One could be not significant (ns) or insignificant.  Sometimes, variations were significant at 5% level of significance or simply significant (with a single asterisk*) or significant at 1% level of significance meaning highly significant (with a double asterisk**).  As the results and discussion were documented and presented, we were obliged to support, explain and point out implications and reasons of the insignificance or significance of the outcome.  These explanations and discussion eventually supported our conclusions and recommendations.

That was in the academe and research institution.  Now, with a different perspective and dealing with the realities of life, I find “significance of the insignificant” striking and thought-provoking.  This is a section of Chapter 7, “Mary’s little lamb” in the book, “Growing Deep in the Christian Life: Essential Truths for Becoming Strong in the Faith” by Charles Swindoll (pp. 121-133).

I find it most appropriate and fitting to stress the “significance of the insignificant” this Christmas season.  Are we aware that, “every Christmas season, the significant seems to get lost among the insignificant?”  We can cite situations as presented by Kuya Benson Tompong in his talk on the “Christian Personal Relationships” last December 7, 2007 teaching night.  Technological advancements, the quest for comfortable, easy and entertained lives associated with a lifestyle of vanity are among the many factors that lead us to selfish motives.  Being selfish and self-centered blind us that the non-essentials or insignificant things in life are given priority.  I agree that indeed, “our world continues to be caught in the web of insignificant things like busy commerce, the profit-and-loss issues of life”.

Are we wise enough to see the significant in the midst of the insignificant?  Let us ask the grace of aiming for God’s wisdom (1 Kings 3:28) in this age of materialism.

During the time of Augustus Ceasar, tax collection was considered a significant event when he ordered a census to strengthen his Roman Empire.  However, “the most significant thing happened in a manger” in Bethlehem (Bethlehem meaning the “house of bread” in Hebrew).

Have we asked Jesus Christ to be born and occupy our insignificant manger, our respective hearts? Let us give Him the first place of honor and authority in our lives!.

St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775), founder of the Passionists, strongly encourages us to “celebrate the feast of Christmas everyday, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ” (Misyon, Nov-Dec, 2007). nmg

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[1] Featured in SIDLAK, BCBP Consolacion Quarterly Magazine, Oct – Dec 2007.